Processing of electronic documents to achieve postage optimization

A method comprising:

• receiving, at a computer system, a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery, each electronic document having a delivery zip code associated therewith;
• holding the plurality of electronic documents in a virtual warehouse in communication with the computer system until at least a critical number of electronic documents having similar zip codes is reached based on requirements to achieve a postal discount;
• routing, by the computer system, a group electronic documents having similar zip codes to a processing site for processing after at least the critical number is reached;
• routing, by the computer system, a first electronic document, prior to the critical number being reached, to a processing site, wherein the first electronic document is one of the group of electronic documents having similar zip codes;
• calculating a first cost of processing and mailing the group of electronic documents;
• calculating a second cost of processing and mailing the group of electronic documents along with one or more additional documents required to reach the critical number;
• and
• creating the additional documents and routing the additional documents to the processing site with the group of electronic documents responsive to determining that the second cost is less than the first cost.

An apparatus comprising:

• an interface for electronic communication;
• and
• a processor coupled to the interface and configured to cause the apparatus to perform:
• receiving a plurality of electronic documents designated for processing and delivery, each electronic document of the of electronic documents having a delivery zip code associated therewith;
• holding the plurality of electronic documents in a virtual warehouse until at least a critical number of electronic documents having similar zip codes is reached based on requirements to achieve a postal discount;
• calculating a first cost of processing and mailing a selected group of electronic documents;
• calculating a second cost of processing and mailing the selected group of electronic documents along with one or more artificially-created additional documents required to reach the critical number of electronic documents to achieve a postal discount;
• artificially creating, when the second cost is less than the first cost, the additional documents to be added to the selected group of electronic documents;
• and
• routing the selected group of electronic documents having similar zip codes to a processing site for processing after at least the critical number is reached.